Obituaries

Continued from Page 42 Baron Wolfram von Richthofen, a cousin to the famed “Red Baron” of WWI.

The ground attack tactics which Baron von Richthofen had developed in Spain, and perfected in Poland, France and Greece, were used to great effect against Kerch, and later Sevastopol. Gen. von Manstein said that these tactics, “... pulled the infantry forward ...,” through successive Soviet defensive positions.

Gen.von Manstein’s Eleventh Army consisted of five infantry divisions, divided between the XXX and XXXXII Armeekorps, commanded by Maximilian Fretter-Pico and Franz Mattenklott; the 22nd Panzerdivision, commanded by Wilhelm von Apell; and three divisions in the VII Romanian Corps, commanded by Florea Mitr nescu.

Within three and a half hours after the assault was launched, Gen. Cherniak’s Forty-Fourth Army collapsed. On May 9, Gen. von Manstein sent in Gen. von Apell’s panzers, which destroyed Gen. L’vov’s Fifty-First Independent Army, killing its commander. Its surviving soldiers surrendered on May 11.

Baron von Richtofen’s planes dropped 1,780 bombs on Kerch, on May 12, which was lost to the Germans on May 15. Baron von Richtofen’s Fliegerkorps VIII was then transferred to the Sixth Army to assist in the Second Battle of Kharkov.

Baron von Richthofen would later describe the bombing operations during the Battle for Kerch as, “...concentrated air support, the likes of which has never existed.” Kerch would remain under German occupation until April 11, 1944. During that time 15,000 of the city’s citizens died and another 14,000 were “deported.”

Although 90,000 Soviet soldiers were evacuated, 162,282 were killed or captured, together with the loss of 4,646 guns and mortars, 496 tanks and 417 aircraft. The Axis casualties amounted to only 3,397, together with the loss of 12 guns and eight tanks. The Kerch operation had delayed the capture of Sevastopol, and subsequent redeployment of Gen. von Manstein’s Eleventh Army to either the siege of Leningrad or the Caucuses operation, by six crucial months.

On Sept. 14, 1973, Kerch and Novorossiysk were named Hero Cities of the Soviet Union. They joined Leningrad, Stalingrad, Sevastopol, Odessa, Kiev and Moscow. They would be joined later by Minsk, Tula, Murmansk and Smolensk.

Next week: Singapore Falls

Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at wimbrowlaw@beachin.net. CHARLES EDWARD MILLER, III Berlin

Charles Edward Miller, III, “Chuck,” died peacefully Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at his sister’s home in Berlin, Maryland, surrounded by his loved ones. Chuck was 70 years old. Chuck is survived by his daughter, Victoria Lewis and husband, Shayne, of Salisbury, Maryland; his sister, Conni Hall and her husband, Dale, of Berlin, Maryland; and his brothers, Chris Miller of Berlin, Maryland, and Joey Miller and wife, Janet, of Ocean Pines, Maryland.

Chuck is also survived by his two grandchildren, Mason Lewis and Rosemary Lewis of Salisbury, Maryland.

He was fortunate to have beloved nieces and nephews also; Sara Patrick of Ocean City, Maryland, and her daughters, Logan and Sydney Patrick; Kathryn Brummitt and husband, James, of Purceville, Virginia, and their daughters, Abby and Becca Brummitt; Joseph (Joby) Miller of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Josh and Jenna Miller of Ocean Pines, Maryland.

Chuck was born on July 17, 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, and was the son of the late Charles Edward Miller II and Ruth (Johancen) Miller Gilfillan.

Chuck and his family moved to Ocean City in 1960 and lived and worked as an offshore fisherman there until his move to Florida in the mid-70’s. He lived in Islamorada, Fort Lauderdale, and New Smyrna Beach; where ever the fishing took him.

As one of his many “brothers” said after his passing, “the offshore fishing community lost one of the best, Captain Chuck Miller.”

His “brothers” are too numerous to mention here, but the family would like to acknowledge their love and support and presence in his life over the years. He was certainly loved and was a mentor to many young fishermen beginning their journey. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

“Perhaps I should not have been a fisherman, he thought. But that was the thing that I was born for” –Ernest Hemingway, “The Old Man and the Sea.”

A Celebration of life will be conducted later, covid permitting, with a Mass and memorial gathering.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Coastal Hospice of the Eastern Shore, or St. Mary’s Star of the Sea parish in Ocean City, Maryland.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com. SUE GARLISS Ocean City Sue Garliss, age 78, of Ocean City, passed away on Jan. 17, 2022. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late James Gough and Margaret Schmitt. After graduating from Towson High School, she moved down to the shore to chase her dreams in selling C. Miller, III real estate in Ocean City, Maryland. She is survived by the love of her life, Joe Garliss, whom she was married to for 57 years. Preceding her in death is daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Garliss. She is also survived by a daughter, Wendy Garliss, of Ocean City. She leaves behind five grandchildren, Miranda, Morgan, Austin, Gabrielle and Jewelian. She loved deeply and we take comfort in knowing that Sue is now at peace surrounded by the light. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

OBITUARY NOTICES

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